Tag: anime

Guest Posts

Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Perfect Anime for Japan’s Economic Crisis

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Editor’s note:

This article originally appeared on Pop Pacific, a blog sponsored by the International Institute of Asian Studies and shared in full on Yamato Magazine with permission from writer Jayson Makoto Chun. Neon Genesis Evangelion remains an iconic anime series for its expression of mental health, the complexities of parenthood, teenagerhood and the rights of women.

Enjoy this thought-provoking article that Jayson has written and be sure to check out more of Pop Pacific’s content that looks at multiple aspects of anime across cultures.

Continue reading “Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Perfect Anime for Japan’s Economic Crisis” →

Pop Culture and Japan

The Truth About Real Samurai In Anime

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Samurai are some of the most iconic figures in Japanese history. They’ve appeared in films,
games, books, and especially anime. But anime often bends the truth.

Real samurai lived by strict codes, fought deadly battles and shaped Japan’s future. Anime
samurai? They shoot lightning, ride motorcycles and sometimes travel through time. This article breaks down how anime reimagines real historical samurai. We’ll compare fact vs. fiction and see why the truth is sometimes even more interesting than the fantasy.

Continue reading “The Truth About Real Samurai In Anime” →

Pop Culture and Japan

Blue Eye Samurai Review – Edo Revenge Thriller Breaks New Ground For Established Genre

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Blue Eye Samurai review.

Samurai fiction is one of the most popular storytelling genres in Japan. This formula of honourable warriors and katanas has plenty of romantic juice left in it. Juice that will continue to be squeezed and wrung out for years to come. So, when something new gets thrown into the formula, I pay attention.

The fresh ingredient is in a perspective that’s not often explored in samurai literature. The story of a woman in the role of a samurai and how that shapes the cultural landscape. That’s the case with Blue Eye Samurai. An Edo revenge tale from husband-and-wife team Noizumi and Michael Green.

Continue reading “Blue Eye Samurai Review – Edo Revenge Thriller Breaks New Ground For Established Genre” →

Pop Culture and Japan

Punching Depression In The Face: An Exploration Of Mental Health In One-Punch Man

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In recent years, mental health has become an important debate that people are discussing all over the globe. Men and women are opening up about their experiences with conditions like anxiety, but despite this progress, there is still an ingrained stigma attached to mental health, with many choosing to suffer in silence.

Creative mediums such as TV and comics can drive the discussion about mental health and help to break down the stigma of talking about it in public. By seeing fictional characters go through relatable struggles, fans might feel inspired to share their experiences with others and make positive steps towards managing a disorder.

A franchise that does an excellent job of portraying mental health in pop culture is One-Punch Man. With a mixture of comic and celebrity culture themes, One-Punch Man follows the story of Saitama, the most powerful superhero in the world who is on a mission to find an opponent worth fighting.

But for all of Saitama’s strength, he has constantly battled with depression and it’s proven to be the only opponent he cannot defeat with one punch. Mental health is one of the most important themes of One Punch Man, so let’s explore it in greater depth. Continue reading “Punching Depression In The Face: An Exploration Of Mental Health In One-Punch Man” →

Pop Culture and Japan

Altered Carbon: Resleeved Review: Glorious Violence And Top-Notch Animation

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Altered Carbon is one of the most original sci-fi series of recent memory. The idea that immortality has become a plaything through digital consciousness and swapping bodies/sleeves makes for a dark and fascinating tale. From books to a Netflix show, the series continues to expand into other mediums and the latest is an anime spin-off called Resleeved.

Set as a prequel to the Netflix series, Resleeved continues the exploits of the Last Envoy Takeshi Kovac and his search for meaning in a universe of corruption, crime and death. Continue reading “Altered Carbon: Resleeved Review: Glorious Violence And Top-Notch Animation” →

Pop Culture and Japan

Enter The Anime Review: So Much Wasted Potential

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With anime being one of Japan’s most popular exports, there have been several attempts by documentary makers to dive into the world of otaku and kawaii culture and see what makes it so appealing. The most recent documentary Netflix’s Enter The Anime, features various anime creators taking about their work. As a casual anime fan I was interested to learn more, but what I watched turned out to be a poorly constructed story that barely scratched the surface of the industry. Continue reading “Enter The Anime Review: So Much Wasted Potential” →

Pop Culture and Japan

4 Characters In One-Punch Man Who Suffer From Mental Health Disorders

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Superheroes are often portrayed as larger than life juggernauts who are able overcome any challenge. It can be difficult to imagine them being vulnerable like a normal person, let alone having a mental health condition. Yet anime series like One-Punch Man aren’t afraid to show how messy the lives of superheroes are, or the types of problems they suffer with on a regular basis.

Mental health is a crucial part of One-Punch Man. There are superheroes and supervillains that battle against disorders throughout the series. Here are four characters from One-Punch Man who struggle with their mental health. Continue reading “4 Characters In One-Punch Man Who Suffer From Mental Health Disorders” →

Pop Culture and Japan

Batman: Ninja Review: An Entertaining Blend Of Comic And Japanese Themes

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When it comes to superheroes, Batman is one of the most popular comic characters of all-time. The Dark Knight’s story has been told across multiple platforms, constantly reinterpreted to entertain new audiences. With the popularity of anime and Japanese culture, it seemed inevitable that Batman would find his way into a Japanese style setting, and that’s exactly what happened with Batman: Ninja. Here’s my review of a film that takes the best of the Caped Crusader’s world and mashes it together with Japanese culture. Continue reading “Batman: Ninja Review: An Entertaining Blend Of Comic And Japanese Themes” →